ADU Craft Portland

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How your ADU gets built, step by step

One team carries the project from the first lot check to final inspection, so you always know what happens next.

  1. Lot checkWe read your zone, lot area, street frontage, overlays and any recorded easements.
  2. Site visitWe measure the lot and existing structures, open the electrical panel and trace the sewer route.
  3. Design and quoteA plan sized to your lot, with a written, itemized price.
  4. EngineeringStructural, energy and utility sizing for the permit set.
  5. PermitsWe submit, answer checksheets and file the SDC waiver request where it applies.
  6. ConstructionFoundation, framing, utilities, insulation, drywall and finishes.
  7. InspectionsWe book each city inspection and close out any corrections.
  8. Final approvalFinal inspection, after which the unit can be lived in.

How long does a Portland ADU take?

A September 2026 Willamette Week guide reported that ADU projects average 12 to 13 months from start to finish, with about three to five months of that spent in permitting. Treat those as averages, not promises. A basement unit in a sound house can move faster than a new cottage on a sloped lot.

When would I need a land use review?

Only if the design cannot meet a zoning standard. As of October 2026, Portland handles those cases through an Adjustment Review, which the city describes as discretionary, about 8 to 10 weeks long and not guaranteed. We try to design within the standards so your project stays on the building permit track.

When do I see a price?

After the site visit and a first design, and before any work starts. The quote is written and itemized so you can see foundation, framing, utilities and finishes as separate lines. If the visit turns up something that shifts the budget, such as an undersized electrical service or a sewer line that needs replacing, we raise it before you sign.

What should I gather before we start?

  • The property address, plus any survey or title report you already have.
  • Records of past permits for the house, garage or basement work, if you know of them.
  • How the unit will be used: a relative, a long-term tenant, a studio or a mix.
  • A budget range, so the first design aims at a realistic target.

How long will my project take?

It depends on the ADU type, your city, how complete the first submittal is and how quickly checksheet items are answered. A suburban city may follow a different review track from Portland. We give you a schedule for your project alongside the quote.

Check what your lot allows

Send us your address and a line about your plans. We look up the zoning, lot size and overlays, then tell you which ADU types are realistic.

Serving Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie and Gresham.